Sunday, 30 August 2015

This event has already been and gone but because I had such a good time I wanted to share my experience with you all.

However, they are also on tour and will be popping up in London over the bank holiday if any of you are gracing our capital with your presence that weekend, or failing that if you're planning on heading to the Merrion Street festival they'll be a Mojo's with offerings of BBQ jerk chicken.

Plans for next year are certain but if they come up to Leeds again you'll be a fool to miss them.

The event was Jamaica Rum Tings sponsored by Wray & Nephew Rum, it ran at Belgrave Music Hall on 22nd August and involved rum (yay!), Caribbean food (yay!) and Reggae music (yay!). Perfect combination for a night out in Leeds.

When the sun comes out in England everybody dons on their summer wear and heads out in to bask in its rays. Last Sunday was no different, despite it being predicted to rain from 6pm (and boy did it rain) hence the quick race out to somewhere pleasant to enjoy it. We're running out of 'new ' places to explore but having passed Grassington on the way to other Dales delights we decided to take a drive up and explore a little.

Grassington is a small village in the southern part of the dales just slightly North East of Malham. It's often used as base for walkers and you'll find numerous B&Bs and eating establishments in the main square.

Sunday, 16 August 2015

In Napoli where love is king, when boy meets girl here's what they say...

When the moon hits your eye it's a like a big pizza pie, that's amore.

That's Amore is a new (ish) pizza and espresso bar on the divide of Chapel Allerton and Meanwood, I struggled to pinpoint it's exact geographic definition in terms of Leeds suburb so I am relying on local knowledge that it is in fact in Meanwood. It is most definitely not in Napoli.

That's Amore, or in complete English, that's love. Was it love? Well the boy didn't meet this girl in there, we travelled together in his car and he deliberated where to park it. Parked it. Then left whilst we waited for our pizza's to drive around the block and park it in the same place again. Not quite how the lyrics of Dean Martin's song goes but I guess he lived in a world which was much more romantic than modern Leeds and didn't have a car crazed lover.

Saturday, 8 August 2015

One rainy day in July D and I found ourselves in Hyde park after a day of junk shop routing and vintage hunting. We were headed for Retro Boutique however our bellies were rumbling so we decided a spot of lunch was needed first. I poked my head in to an old favourite, Cafetiere, it looks exactly the same as when I was a student and when I first blogged about it and I felt that it was starting to look a bit tired and it really wasn't inspiring me to eat in there.

Thursday, 6 August 2015

Le Creuset invited me and some fellow bloggers (and D) to view first hand their cheese and wine collection in their Leeds store located in the Victoria Quarter. Le Creuset are lesser known for their wine products but are fast gaining popularity in the culinary world. Following the demonstrations I could definitely see why and it's fair to say I've added a few more items to my wish list.

Tuesday, 4 August 2015

Last weekend I attended a Barista training course at Laynes Espresso to learn a little more about coffee. Learnt the basics such as where coffee comes from, the different varieties, how to make good cup of coffee and how to look after your coffee machine. This was not an exclusive course that only ran last weekend and only available to a select few, in fact Laynes offer a range of training to all who are interested, such course include: barista training (that I attended), latte art training, coffee at home training (next on my list) and commercial training.

The sessions are run in small numbers, with only 3 in my class (including me) and lasts around 2 to 3 hours. There's discount to be had if two of you are booking on the class so grab a coffee enthusiastic friend and sign yourselves up.